October 16, 2008
John McCain Answers Questions
Posed by AOH Leadership

A delegation of AOH Members led by National President Seamus Boyle met with Senator McCain. Jack O'Connell, father of National Director Danny O'Connell, was able to organize the meeting for us.

We had a face-to-face meeting with Senator McCain for 20 minutes before his rally and Irish Forum in Scranton Pennsylvania.

He was gracious enough to give us the time in a very busy schedule.

We only had time for four questions and we stayed away from the questions that were posted by the Irish Forum group.

Senator McCain answered the question on an envoy to the Irish Peace Process
He said without question that he would definitely have an envoy to the Irish Peace Process and Good Friday Agreement and spoke of George Mitchell with admiration for what he had done. He stated that President Bush had done a good job also.

On the Immigration for the Irish and the undocumented he was very forthcoming.
His answer was very satisfying to the ILIR who accompanied us into the room. He said that his comprehensive immigration bill, which he co-sponsored with Senator Kenney would be the basis for his immigration program after our borders were secured.

Our third question was on the Irish Deportees who are now being harrassed by ICE.
The Senator said that he would have to work on each case individually and would utilize Congressman Peter King

Question on devolution of policing and
judiciary devolution.
Senator McCain promised to work hard to solve the situation that is stalemating the government in Belfast and to bring the parties together.

We sent the complete set of written questions and handed the questions to Senator McCain that morning but we have not received written answers at this time.